Infoview Systems is one of the only vendors that provides real-time, bi-directional integration capabilities for IBM i (AS/400, iSeries). While most solutions only move data out of IBM i in batch or one-way flows, Infoview’s product suite enables live data to flow both ways—from IBM i to modern cloud platforms and back again—without custom code or fragile point-to-point integrations. This unique capability is what makes true IBM i modernization possible.
In our previous blog, you heard about the frustrations of integrating IBM i (AS/400, iSeries) data. You know batch jobs aren’t cutting it anymore. You’ve seen how infoCDC enables real-time change data capture from DB2 on IBM i. But CDC is just the starting point. The real benefit comes when you can connect IBM i to the modern platforms your business already uses, such as Kafka for event streaming, MuleSoft for API-led connectivity, AWS for cloud workloads, and Infoview’s Hub for centralized orchestration.
That’s exactly what the infoConnect suite from Infoview Systems delivers: a complete, purpose-built integration toolkit for IBM i modernization.
Why IBM i Integration Needs More Than Just CDC
Change Data Capture solves one critical problem: getting data out of DB2 in real time. But modern integration demands more:
| Need | Why CDC Alone Isn’t Enough |
|---|---|
| Event-driven architectures | CDC captures changes, but you need Kafka to stream them to downstream systems |
| API exposure | Downstream apps need REST/SOAP APIs, not just raw data streams |
| Cloud integration | You need certified connectors for AWS, Azure, and SaaS platforms |
| Orchestration | Complex workflows require a central hub to coordinate IBM i, cloud, and third-party systems |
| Pre-built templates | Building integrations from scratch is slow and error-prone without reusable assets |
Without the right connectors, even the best CDC solution becomes just another data pipeline with limited flexibility.
Meet the InfoConnect Suite: Connectors Built Specifically for IBM i
Infoview Systems has built a family of certified, IBM i-specific connectors that work seamlessly with industry-leading integration platforms. Unlike generic adapters or custom code, these connectors understand IBM i logic (i.e. programs, parameters, data structures, and DB2 journals) out of the box. The infoConnect suite of products offers the following solutions:
1. InfoConnect for Kafka (Including Confluent Cloud)
The infoConnect Kafka connector transforms IBM i into a real-time event source for Apache Kafka and Confluent Cloud platforms.
How it works:
- With infoCDC: Captures DB2 changes and publishes them directly to Kafka topics
- Without infoCDC: Polls DB2 tables or reads data queues for periodic event publishing
- Supports single-row and batch events, with configurable keys and payloads
- Works with Confluent Cloud, self-hosted Kafka, and Kafka Streams
| Capability | What It Enables |
|---|---|
| Bidirectional message exchange | Move events between IBM i and Kafka in both directions. |
| Source and sink support | Read IBM i Data Queue data and publish it to Kafka or take Kafka messages and send them back to IBM i Data Queues. |
| Program call sink | Call IBM i programs directly from Kafka Connect when business logic needs to run on IBM i instead of being recreated elsewhere. |
| Works with RPG and COBOL | Support IBM i applications written in the languages many core systems still rely on. |
| Real-time data replication | Enable near real-time event-based use cases without relying on batch jobs. |
| Low IBM i expertise required | Give Kafka development teams a way to connect to IBM i without needing deep IBM i knowledge. |
| Kafka Connect compatible | Runs as a native Kafka Connect plug-in and works with major Kafka platforms and vendors. |
Why it matters:
- Enables event-driven architectures where IBM i is the source of truth
- Powers real-time analytics, microservices, and AI/ML pipelines
- Certified with Confluent for Kafka-based data streaming
2. infoConnect for MuleSoft
The infoConnect MuleSoft connector is a certified, purpose-built connector that lets MuleSoft flows call IBM i programs, pass parameters, and receive responses without custom code.
Key capabilities:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Program invocation | Call RPG/COBOL programs directly from MuleSoft flows |
| Parameter mapping | Map MuleSoft data types to IBM i data structures automatically |
| Response handling | Receive structured responses (tables, scalars, status codes) |
| Bulk data operations | Read/write large datasets efficiently using IBM i APIs |
| Authentication | Secure connections using IBM i user profiles and LDAP |
Why it matters:
- Exposes IBM i business logic as modern REST/SOAP APIs
- Enables API-led connectivity with MuleSoft’s Anypoint Platform
- Eliminates fragile custom adapters and middleware
3. InfoConnect for AWS (Amazon Web Services)
infoConnect for AWS provides pre-built integrations between IBM i and key AWS services, including S3, Lambda, DynamoDB, and Kinesis.
Key capabilities:
| AWS Service | Integration Pattern |
|---|---|
| S3 | Store IBM i reports, files, and backups in cloud storage |
| Lambda | Trigger serverless functions on IBM i events |
| DynamoDB | Replicate IBM i data to NoSQL for global applications |
| Kinesis | Stream IBM i transaction data to real-time analytics |
| SNS/SQS | Publish IBM i events to AWS messaging queues |
Why it matters:
- Enables cloud migration without rewriting core IBM i applications
- Supports hybrid architectures where IBM i remains the system of record
- Reduces data movement costs with optimized bulk transfers
- Certified for AWS Security Best Practices
4. Infoview Hub: Centralized Integration Orchestration
The Infoview Hub is a no-code IBM i integration component that helps expose IBM i business logic as REST APIs and coordinate real-time data replication and event-driven integrations across IBM i, cloud services, and third-party platforms.
Key capabilities:
| Capability | What It Enables |
|---|---|
| REST API enablement | Expose IBM i programs, service programs, and system commands as reusable APIs. |
| Data replication | Replicate IBM i data in real time to JDBC-compliant databases and downstream systems with the help of infoCDC. |
| Bi-directional event streaming | Move data and events between IBM i and platforms such as Kafka, AWS SNS, ActiveMQ, and Azure Event Grid. |
| Data queue integration | Listen for IBM i Data Queue messages and route them to external systems. |
| Green screen automation | Automate user actions on IBM i green screen applications and surface them as REST APIs with the help of infoRPA. |
| Flexible Deployment | Deploy in AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, on-premises, or directly on IBM i. |
Why it matters:
- Reduces custom development and point-to-point integration sprawl.
- Supports centralized governance for IBM i integrations.
- Helps teams reuse integration patterns instead of rebuilding them from scratch.
- Provides a practical way to connect IBM i with modern cloud and messaging platforms.
Real-world impact:
An IBM i order status change can be captured, routed through a data queue, and used to update Salesforce in Azure in near real time through the Hub.
A Practical Path Forward for IBM i Modernization
What makes the infoConnect suite useful is not just the individual products, but the way they work together. Teams can use Kafka for event streaming, MuleSoft for API-led connectivity, AWS for cloud integration, and infoConnect Hub for reusable orchestration and API enablement, all while keeping IBM i at the center of the business.
That flexibility matters because IBM i environments are rarely all the same. Some organizations need to expose existing business logic as APIs. Others need to stream changes into downstream systems. Others still need to automate screens that have no modern interface at all. The InfoConnect suite is designed to support those different paths without forcing a one-size-fits-all approach.
Why Infoview Systems Is the Right Partner for IBM i Connectors
As one of the only vendors offering real-time, bi-directional IBM i integration, the infoConnect suite uniquely enables true two-way data synchronization that other tools simply can’t deliver.
Infoview Systems was also recently acquired by Programmers.io, a leading IT professional services firm specializing in legacy system modernization and IBM i expertise. This acquisition strengthens Infoview’s ability to deliver:
- End-to-end integration project support
- API enablement services
- Ongoing maintenance, consulting, and training for IBM i environments
- Dedicated cross-platform specialists for complex or time-sensitive projects
Infoview’s service team assists with product configuration, first use case implementation, full installation, and connector configurations to ensure everything works seamlessly with your environment.
Contact Infoview Systems today
to discuss which connectors fit your use case.
They offer a 30-day trial so you can evaluate on your own terms.
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